Team Chocolate Milk Takes on Mission Apolo

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Built with Chocolate Milk.

In recent weeks, I’ve shared my experience racing with the Built with Chocolate Milk team and shared information about why chocolate milk is a fantastic recovery choice for athletes. This is a big week for the larger Built with Chocolate Milk team. On Saturday, World Champion Speed Skater Apolo Ohno and Women’s Health Fitness Director Jen Ator will complete Mission Apolo: BUILT WITH CHOCOLATE MILK. They’ll swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles to complete the 2014 IRONMAN World Championship Race in Kona-Kailua, Hawaii. Then recover with chocolate milk.

Apolo and Jen have been completing a training and recovery program for the past six months with sports dietitians and elite professional coaches 8X IRONMAN World Champion Paula Newby-Fraser and 3X World Champion Craig “Crowie” Alexander. To document the journey Built with Chocolate Milk created an eight-episode video series, including behind-the-scenes content and training tips. The most recent episode is below.

I had the opportunity to send questions to the team on the ground in Kona. Here’s what I asked:

Apolo Ohno: What is the biggest difference in your training from speed skating to IRONMAN?“The sheer length of the training periods. My body was so finely tuned to short spurts of speed that I’ve had to re-train it for endurance. That’s tough.”

Jen Ator: Where were your favorite places to run, bike, and swim during training in NYC?“I love running the West Side Highway along the Hudson, heading north. It’s really beautiful. Of course, I love Central Park, as well. For riding, I’ll often go over to New Jersey. I haven’t braved open water swimming in NYC though–I keep that for my gym!”

What message do you have for female athletes (and your readers) following your journey here?“Just go for it. If you’d asked me a year ago if I’d be doing this, I’d be saying no way! You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try. Take the chance, so then you’ll know. Get friends and support to cheer you on along the way. You’ll amaze yourself.”

In honor of the big event, Built with Chocolate Milk is giving away seven days of partner prize packs from October 6-12 (valued up to $200) to followers on Instagram (@GotChocolateMilk) and Twitter (@GotChocoMilk) who complete a daily challenge. For a chance to win gear from TREK, TYR, 2XU, FuelBelt and more, snap and share a picture of yourself completing a daily challenge. Good luck!